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Lot Essay
Part of the trend towards scholarly decoration of their own snuff bottles, discussed under lot 23, this elegant lacquer bottle is engraved with the 'iron-brush', the carving tool of the seal-carver.
The decoration is blossoming prunus branches, a common literati subject, which has been incised in a rather spontaneous, yet confident and calligraphic manner. The prunus has long inspired the literati with its symbolic fortitude. Since it blossoms in the depths of winter, prunus became a powerful symbol of the Confucian scholar who strived to serve the best interest of his country despite whatever hardships he might encounter.
The poetic inscription incised on one side of this bottle may be read as follows:
Together, with the coral bed in place, brilliance lit up the pillars, with the jade screen open, the reception hall filled with green light
While the overall reference to luxurious furnishings seems clear, the translation is open to other interpretations if the 'coral bed' is intended to be a bed for a brush (brush rest) and the 'jade screen' a table screen.
The seal preceding the inscription, Yipian bingxin (literally 'a piece of icy heart'), is a metaphor for the calm heart of a self-assured individual, unconcerned by external circumstances.
The decoration is blossoming prunus branches, a common literati subject, which has been incised in a rather spontaneous, yet confident and calligraphic manner. The prunus has long inspired the literati with its symbolic fortitude. Since it blossoms in the depths of winter, prunus became a powerful symbol of the Confucian scholar who strived to serve the best interest of his country despite whatever hardships he might encounter.
The poetic inscription incised on one side of this bottle may be read as follows:
Together, with the coral bed in place, brilliance lit up the pillars, with the jade screen open, the reception hall filled with green light
While the overall reference to luxurious furnishings seems clear, the translation is open to other interpretations if the 'coral bed' is intended to be a bed for a brush (brush rest) and the 'jade screen' a table screen.
The seal preceding the inscription, Yipian bingxin (literally 'a piece of icy heart'), is a metaphor for the calm heart of a self-assured individual, unconcerned by external circumstances.